Bucky Walters
Originally a third baseman with a strong arm, Bucky Walters converted to a pitcher in his fifth big league season. Unfortunately, he got that chance with baseball's worst team, the Philadelphia Phillies. After a 38-53 record with the Phils (despite an ERA just a half-run above league average), Walters was traded to the Reds. With Cincinnati, the lean, sidearming right-hander flourished, winning twenty games three times and at least 15 for six consecutive seasons. His post-season performance was night and day between 1939 and 1940. He lost both his starts in the '39 Fall Classic, but twirled a pair of complete game victories the next Fall in the World Series win over the Tigers. Walters was one of the best-hitting pitchers in baseball during his time.
Played For
Boston Braves (1931-1932)
Boston Red Sox (1933-1934)
Philadelphia Phillies (1934-1938)
Cincinnati Reds (1938-1948)
Boston Braves (1950)
Managed
Cincinnati Reds (1948-1949)
Factoids
Pitcher Bucky Walters, a former third baseman, had 11 three-hit games and one four-hit game during his pitching career.
Where He Played
Pitcher
As a Manager
Complaints about umpires are nothing new. As long as there have been ballplayers and as long as there have been umpires, the two have clashed. Here's a few quotes from an article in 1949, when manager Walters complained about the new breed of ML umpire:
"UMpires are getting so these days you can't say boo. The other day, Bob Elliott was put out of the game because he said to the umpire, 'You haven't called one right in five years.' "
Born
William Henry Walters was born on April 19, 1909, in Philadelphia, PA.
Died
April 20, 1991, Abington, PA
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: PHI
Major League Debut
September 18, 1931
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1931
Billy Herman
Ernie Lombardi
Dixie Walker
Billy Jurges
Red Rolfe
Bucky Walters
Paul Derringer
Van Lingle Mungo
Gee Walker
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1950 |
BBWAA |
4 |
2.4% |
1952 |
BBWAA |
3 |
1.3% |
1953 |
BBWAA |
10 |
3.8% |
1956 |
BBWAA |
5 |
2.6% |
1958 |
BBWAA |
33 |
12.4% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
19 |
7.1% |
1962 |
BBWAA |
5 |
3.1% |
1964 |
BBWAA |
35 |
17.4% |
1964 |
Run Off |
8 |
3.6% |
1966 |
BBWAA |
56 |
18.5% |
1967 |
BBWAA |
65 |
22.3% |
1967 |
Run Off |
24 |
7.8% |
1968 |
BBWAA |
67 |
23.7% |
1969 |
BBWAA |
20 |
5.9% |
1970 |
BBWAA |
29 |
9.7% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1939 World Series
1940 World Series
The Pitches He Threw
His money pitch was a sinker, which was reall a two-seam fastball that he threw from a sidearm delivery.
Awards and Honors
1939 NL MVP
1939 NL Triple Crown
All-Star Selections
1937 NL
1939 NL
1940 NL
1941 NL
1942 NL
1944 NL
Learn More about Bucky Walters
Search Amazon.com for Books about Bucky Walters ⇒
Search for Bucky Walters at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
